A Self-Tuning Fill Factor Technique for SQL Server – Part 2

Introduction Fill Factor is a parameter most of us have ignored because there is no definitive way to calculate what the correct value should be. Part 1 of this series describes a new technique to dynamically determine index fill factors for all indexes within a database. Part 2 covers an analysis of the data collection […]

Some T-SQL INSERTs DO Follow the Fill Factor! (SQL Oolie)

With origins from the world of “Submarine ‘Dolphin’ Qualification” questions, an “Oolie” is a difficult question to answer, or the knowledge or fact needed to answer such a question, that may or may not pertain to one's duties but tests one's knowledge of a system or process to the limit. Introduction Contrary to what many […]

More On Column Order Indexes – Part 2

Continued analysis of index architecture with revised clustered index. Part 2 of Column Order Indexes

What happens when you cancel or kill a resumable index creation?

SQL Server 2019 adds resumable online index creation, and it’s pretty spiffy according to Brent.

Are nulls stored in a nonclustered index?

When you index a nullable field, are the rows with nulls stored in the index? It’s easy enough to find out by creating a table with a nullable field, and then creating an index on it.

Speedy Table Variables

Can deleting rows make a table…bigger?

Michael J. Swart posted an interesting question: he had a large table with 7.5 billion rows and 5 indexes. When he deleted 10 million rows, he noticed that the indexes were getting larger, not smaller.

Indexing Computed Columns

Unused Indexes - Are they really unused or have they just not been used YET?

Tara explains when index DMVs gets reset by telling a story from her dark past.

Index Tuning Week: How Many Indexes Are Too Many?

When you're not sure, start by aiming for 5 or less indexes per table, with 5 or less fields each.